Addiction

From Biology to Drug Policy

Second Edition

Avram Goldstein

Drug addiction as a brain disease is this book's theme. Among the many volumes on drugs written for lay readers, it is unique in the breadth and depth of its coverage. In clear scientific terms--with many striking examples from the author's experience as a scientist and clinician--it describes the nature of chemical addiction and addictive behavior, the seven families of addictive drugs, and the muddied effort to develop effective drug control policies and laws.

Addiction

From Biology to Drug Policy

Second Edition

Avram Goldstein

Description

Drug addiction is a brain disease--that's the modern view and it is fully expressed in this up-to-date book. Among the many volumes on drugs written for lay readers, this one is unique in the breadth of its coverage and the depth of its science. The first part gives a clear scientific account of the nature of addiction, stressing neurobiology and addictive behavior and describing the "highs" that drugs can produce. The second section covers the seven families of addictive drugs, with emphasis on their actions in the brain and on psychological aspects: nicotine, alcohol, heroin and other opiates, cocaine and amphetamines, marijuana, caffeine, and hallucinogens like LSD. The third section deals with laws and drug control policies. Throughout, the author gives many interesting personal accounts of addiction research, to which he has highlighted new research on the genetics and neurobiology of susceptibility to addiction.

Addiction

From Biology to Drug Policy

Avram Goldstein

Table of Contents

1. IntroductionPART ONE: DRUGS AND THE BRAIN 2. Neurotransmitters: The Brain's Own Drugs3. Receptors: Locks for the Addictive Keys4. Addictive Behavior5. Pain and Pleasure6. The Seesaw Brain: "Highs" and Adaptations7. Are Addicts Born or Made?PART TWO: DRUGS AND THE ADDICTS 8. Nicotine9. Alcohol and Related Drugs10. Heroin, Morphine, and Other Opiates11. Cocaine and Amphetamines12. Cannabis (Marijuana)13. Caffeine14. HallucinogensPART THREE: DRUGS AND SOCIETY 15. Prevention: Just Say No?16. Treatment Addiction, Preventing Relapse17. Three Lessons from the Street18. Three Lessons from Abroad19. Prohibition vs. Legalization- A False Dichotomy20. New Strategies for Rational Drug Policy

Addiction

From Biology to Drug Policy

Second Edition

Avram Goldstein

Author Information

Avram Goldstein, M.D. is Emeritus Professor of Pharmacology, Stanford University. He is the author of Principles of Drug Action, is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and is the recipient of many awards including the Franklin Medal, the Nathan B. Eddy Award, and the Sollman Award.

Addiction

From Biology to Drug Policy

Second Edition

Avram Goldstein

Reviews and Awards

"Goldstein directs this readable small volume toward 'intelligent non-experts.'.... [He] goes to great lengths to show how each class of drugs produces its own form of addiction and why humans will go to such great effort to take them."--Floyd Bloom, M.D., Issues in Science and Technology

"It is written in a lively manner, is admirably logical and systematic, and is peppered with interesting quotations and clinical vignettes.... Deserves to be widely read."--Steven E. Hyman, M.D.

"This book is for everyone. Clinicians, experimental psychologists, and the ubiquitous intelligent layperson will all enjoy and learn from this book."--Contemporary Psychology

"An essential tool to understand the biology of addiction as well as the history, politics, and sociology of the issue. Dr. Goldstein brings to the policy debate a powerful scientific perspective based on decades of research backed by common sense."--General Barry R. McCaffrey, USA (Ret.), former Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy